GET REAL LEGAL EXPERIENCE IN YEAR ONE!
The program offers a
unique opportunity for a paid internship and exposure for first-year law students.
Are you a BIPOC Law Student? Check out these reasons to apply.
Experience
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Don't wait until year two to get real-world experience
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Get exposure to various aspects of the law early in your law school career
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Build your resume and prepare yourself for future summer associate opportunities
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Experience the beautiful Flour/Flower City - Rochester, NY, on the Great Lake Ontario and surrounding Finger Lakes region
Support
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Paid internships
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Housing provided for out-of-town students
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An additional $500 stipend to assist with internship preparation expenses
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Mentorship from local attorneys to prepare you for your role
Impact
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Connect with and diversify the local legal community
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Expand your network with diverse employers, programs and departments
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Obtain substantive legal work experience that you will rarely get in a larger legal community
2023 Employers
Abrams Fensterman
Adams Leclair
Boylan Code
City of Rochester
Hamberger Weiss
Harris Beach
Legal Assistance of Western NY
Monroe County Conflict Defender's Office
Monroe County District Attorney's Office
Monroe County Law Department
Monroe County Public Defender's Office
Nixon Peabody
Pullano & Farrow
Woods Oviatt Gilman
Join an upcoming info session to learn more
2024 Applications Open December 1, 2023
Program Overview: The Honorable Roy W. King Legal Diversity Internship is co-sponsored by the Monroe County Bar Association (MCBA) (through its Diversity Committee), the Rochester Black Bar Association (RBBA), and the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys (GRAWA). Since 2005, this program has sought to increase diversity in the legal profession in the Rochester area by attracting first-year law students to work in paid positions with Rochester-area law firms and other legal employers. Housing is provided for non-Monroe County resident summer internship participants.
For more information, click here or view our recent information session, here (Passcode: jFJ6H+?i) .
Evaluation Criteria
– Interview/interpersonal skills
– Diversity statement
– Writing skills
– Connection to Western New York and/or interest in practicing in the Rochester community
– Involvement in relevant professional and community activities
– Academic achievement
– Work experience
For more information click here.
* Employers may require additional information before an offer is made.
Selection Process
1. Application: Eligible first-year law students are required to submit an application, current resume, undergraduate and law school transcripts, a personal statement and the designated writing sample.
2. Interview: Qualified candidates will e invited to Rochester for interviews. Interviews may be conducted virtually. Students must secure their own transportation to Rochester for the interviews, please contact Shani Curry, Esq. at diversity@rbbalaw.org or 585-502-8736, for potential assistance or to request a virtual interview.
3. Post-Interview: After the interviews, candidates and employers will rank each other. The Legal Diversity Internship Committee will review candidates based on evaluation criteria and rankings to determine offers.
4. Offers: After offers are made, candidates will have three days to accept or decline the initial offer (there is no discussion of monetary terms at this point). If an offer is declined, the position will be extended to an alternate. Students who decline offers will not be given the option of an alternate placement.
